Font size:
Print
South Asia Receiving Rainfall
Context:
The forecast of ‘above normal’ rainfall across most of the South Asian countries during the upcoming monsoon season was shared at the 28th South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) meeting held in Pune.
More on News:
SASCOF-28 Rainfall Outlook:
- “Above normal” rainfall forecast for most of South Asia during June to September.
- Exceptions include some northern, northeastern, and eastern parts.
Alignment with IMD Forecast:
- SASCOF rainfall forecast aligns with the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) initial southwest monsoon rainfall forecast.
Regional Rainfall Predictions:
- Anticipated normal or above rainfall in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and central Bhutan.
- Normal rainfall expected in Afghanistan, remaining areas of Bhutan, and large parts of Myanmar except the southwest coast.
Factors Affecting Rainfall:
- Multiple favorable ocean-atmospheric factors support good rainfall.
- Weakening El Nino conditions with a shift towards La Nina during the second half of the monsoon season.
- Potential positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) influencing southwest monsoon over the region.
Temperature Outlook:
- Above-normal day temperatures predicted over most regions during the ongoing summer season.
- Areas including West Afghanistan, northern and eastern Pakistan, Gujarat-Rajasthan, northern Maharashtra, coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, southwest Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and central and southern Myanmar expected to be significantly affected.
What is SASCOF?
- The South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) was established in 2009 and is coordinated by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- It covers Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Each country hosts the Forum on rotation.
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has been supporting South Asian nations in conducting the South Asian Seasonal Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF) since 2010.
- The objective of the forum is to prepare consensus seasonal climate information on regional scale that provides a consistent basis for preparing national level outlooks.
